Giants still in play for Aaron Rodgers as Vikings reportedly bow out

The Aaron Rodgers watch has ended in Minnesota. Will it tick back up in New York?

The Vikings decided to end discussions of signing Rodgers and stick with quarterback J.J. McCarthy, per multiple reports Wednesday. Now all eyes return to the Giants, who remain in the mix, along with the Steelers, as possible destinations.

Rodgers also could consider retirement, according to The Athletic. It’s another twist in the dance that’s carried on since the season ended. The Giants have little choice but to stay in pursuit as Rodgers takes his time.

However, the team isn’t just waiting around for the future Hall of Famer. They’ve had visits with three quarterbacks since last Thursday - Russell Wilson, Joe Flacco and Jameis Winston. 

Would Rodgers be a better fit than all three of those options? It depends.

Rodgers had better numbers than that trio,  with 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns last season. But, at 41, Rodgers is older than them, and next season would be his 21st.

It’s part of the high-risk, high-reward value he brings. Rodgers will also be two years removed from tearing his Achilles and isn’t the mobile threat he was in his younger days.

But that hasn’t stopped Giants players from embracing the idea of him as a potential teammate.

“Once you get a little older, it happens to everybody, like, 'he doesn't got it anymore' or whatever,” receiver Darius Slayton said of outside perceptions. “But I think Aaron Rodgers has shown he can still spin it. I think, like I said, we have all the tools to make a quarterback like him, or any veteran or rookie, successful.”

It’s not just about how much he has left in his tank. It’s also about managing what Rodgers brings with him. Can the Giants deal with his weekly visits to "The Pat McAfee Show”? Can they manage any demands he might have with personnel?

More important, can the Giants trust him to be a mentor? He’ll give them insurance and allow them to take their time developing the quarterback they hope to draft in April.

All of these questions are back at the forefront. The Giants explored other options this month, but now they’re back to keeping their eyes and mind open to Rodgers as well.

It might be a patient game, yet it’s one the Giants believe they have to play, given that their need for a quarterback might trump any hesitation about said player.

“I’m for taking swings at that position,” general manager Joe Schoen said at the NFL Combine. “It’s the most important position and it’s hard to find them, so, keep swinging until you find one.”

By Evan Barnes

evan.barnes@newsday.comevan_b

Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.